Mike Stavrinos Blasts to Provisional No. 1 in Pro Mod with Stunning 5.688 at Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Pro Mod class turned up the heat in the latest qualifying action at the 57th annual AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, as Mike Stavrinos stormed to the provisional pole position with a career-highlight 5.688-second ET at a blistering 252.14 mph in his #3 entry.

Stavrinos’ explosive run – the quickest and fastest of the weekend so far – catapults him to the top of the ladder, edging out the field in what has been a wildly competitive Pro Mod session at Gainesville Raceway. This marks a strong rebound and statement for the Fort Lauderdale-based driver as the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series kicks off, with Pro Mod’s raw horsepower and doorslammer drama on full display.

The top spots shuffled dramatically:

• Travis Harvey holds steady at #2 with his earlier 5.708 / 245.99 mph – still a stout mark.
• Steve Jackson climbs to #3 with a fresh 5.711 / 249.72 mph, keeping the pressure on.
• JR Gray (#15) remains in the hunt at #4 with 5.724 / 250.60 mph.
• Sidnei Frigo (#288) sits at #5 with 5.740 / 249.03 mph.
• Further down, Lyle Barnett improved to #6 (5.758 / 226.13 mph – note the speed drop possibly from conditions or tune), followed by
• Derek Menholt, Stan Shelton, Nick Januik, and Kevin Rivenbark in the low-5.80s. The bump spot is tightening, with several drivers in the 5.80-5.82 range poised for big moves in Saturday’s Q3 and Q4 sessions (scheduled around midday and early afternoon ET).

Lower qualifiers like Alex Laughlin (now 6.324/230.02 – better but still off the pace) and Mike Thielen (7.960/116.4) continue working through issues, but the field’s depth suggests the provisional order could flip again before eliminations.

Provisional Pro Mod qualifying order (post-latest update):

1. Mike Stavrinos – Car #3 – 5.688 ET / 252.14 MPH
2. Travis Harvey – Car #6280 – 5.708 / 245.99
3. Steve Jackson – Car #280 – 5.711 / 249.72
4. JR Gray – Car #15 – 5.724 / 250.60
5. Sidnei Frigo – Car #288 – 5.740 / 249.03
6. Lyle Barnett – Car #2 – 5.758 / 226.13
7. Derek Menholt – Car #5 – 5.764 / 248.34
8. Stan Shelton – Car #212 – 5.767 / 245.76
9. Nick Januik – Car #729 – 5.797 / 243.41
10. Kevin Rivenbark – Car #225 – 5.807 / 242.02
11. Jason Scruggs – Car #4000 – 5.809 / 249.53
12. Mason Wright – Car #4334 – 5.820 / 249.63
13. Mike Castellana – Car #44 – 5.822 / 247.11
14. Chip King – Car #9 – 5.824 / 248.98
15. Alex Laughlin – Car #40 – 6.324 / 230.02
16. Mike Thielen – Car #6911 – 7.960 / 116.4

Stream the remaining sessions on NHRA.TV or catch highlights on FS1 – with speeds pushing 252 mph and ETs dipping into the 5.68 zone, Pro Mod at the Gatornationals is delivering non-stop action. Stavrinos is looking locked in, but this stacked field means nothing’s decided yet!

If more updates roll in (like Q3 times or other classes), or you want a shorter version for @mmtvlive posts, let me know. From Atlanta, keep enjoying the coverage – this weekend is electric!